Custom Hardware Teaching Aid for Undergraduate Microcontroller Laboratory Class

Abstract

Hands-on laboratory classes use a variety of assembly parts that are combined into a circuit for experiments. For many of the topics, the process of circuit building is the goal of the lab assignment, but there are also many classes in which the main focus is on the usage of key elements, and less attention is given to the circuit assembly process. The microcontroller laboratory is a case in which educational aids are strongly suggested, so students can focus on working on microcontrollers. This paper describes approaches to the microcontroller class: with or without aids, with students of multiple majors included, and with separated majors. It also describes how the proposed design of a Printed Circuit Board and new curriculum helped to solve the class’ educational challenges.